John Mica willing to compromise next month on new FAA bill

The Florida Congressman who is serving as the pointman for transportation issues in the U.S. House of Representatives said he is ready to compromise on an Federal Aviation Extension extension bill when the House and Senate return in September.

U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, whose district includes St. Johns County told an Orlando radio station that he is willing to work to find common ground with Democrats to avoid another FAA shutdown.

FAA non-essential workers were shut out of work for two weeks in July and August after Congressional Republicans and Senate Democrats couldn't reach an agreement on an FAA bill. Congress eventually approved a temporary extension that will expire in the middle of September.

Congress is expected to return to Washington on Sept. 7.

The sticking points are funding to rural airport, and the rules that allow FAA employees to unionize.

Estimates had about 74,000 government and construction workers out of work due to the stalemate.

The previous FAA funding bill actually expired in 2007. The FAA has received 21 temporary extensions since then.

The stalemate held up the award of $1.5 million in federal grants for Jacksonville International Airport and also stopped work on about $300,000 of construction at the air traffic control center in Hilliard.

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I smack my forehead in amazement that this guy keeps getting re-elected to office. I actually tried to have a conversation some 4 or 5 years ago at an event with him and it was like talking to tree stump. I couldn't bring myself to vote for him last 2 election cycles, and I'm a lifelong registered republican and vote every election. Just not for this guy. Power hungry narcissist.